DPA
Constitution
REVISED
APRIL 2005
Article I
Name and Purpose
Section 1. The name of the society shall
be the Theta Beta Chapter of Delta Phi Alpha represented by the colors black, red, and gold. The letters Delta Phi Alpha stand
for the Greek words signifying “Torchbearers for Humankind.”
Section 2. The purpose of the
society is to promote the study of the German language, literature and civilization and endeavors to emphasize those aspects
of German life and culture which are of universal value and contribute to man’s eternal search for peace and truth.
Article II
Membership
Section 1. Members of this chapter shall
be chosen from undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and should give indication of continued interest in the study of the German language,
literature and culture. Furthermore, membership eligibility includes only currently
enrolled students of the University of Nebraska
at Omaha and University of Nebraska Students who pay University Program and facilities fees.
Section 2. Qualifications for student membership shall be as follows:
i. A minimum of 2.75 (on 4.0 scale) in overall studies
ii. A minimum of 3.3 (on 4.0 scale) or its equivalent
in all German courses taken
iii. A minimum of two (2) years of university German or
equivalent with the attainment of sophomore standing, including the completion of at least one semester of the upper division
German courses (above 2120) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
iv. Initiation of new members shall take place during
a meeting at least once a semester, when students are eligible.
v. Once a person is a member of Delta Phi Alpha he always
remains so. However, voting members shall only be those currently enrolled students at UNO.
vi. No one maybe be denied membership on the basis of
race, color, age, disability, religion, gender, (including harassment), national origin, marital status, Vietnam-era status,
political affiliation, sexual orientation or any other unlawful reason
Article III
Executive Committee Officers
Section 1. The elected officers will be a
President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The administration of the
chapter shall be the responsibility of the Executive Officers, collectively known here forth as the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Duties
and responsibilities of each respective officer include but are not limited:
i. The President shall call and preside over all regular, summer
and special meetings of the chapter and be its
representative and chief diplomat.
ii. The Vice-President will execute the duties
of the president in the event of the latter’s absence or as assigned by the president.
iii. The Secretary will record minutes of the meetings,
type the minutes, and then read the minutes at the following meetings. The Secretary will be responsible for membership correspondence
and official communications.
iv. The Treasurer will be responsible for collecting,
managing, and dispensing the funds of the chapter. The Treasurer will prepare
financial statements for its membership and Executive Council as requested.
Section 3. Election of the officers are to
be held annually in the spring before the
end of the semester and the term of office of those elected shall begin in the fall and continue for the duration of
the school year.
i. A quorum of the voting members of the chapter must
be present at the meeting at which elections are held.
ii. Students shall be nominated from the voting membership
to the four
positions and a plurality of votes by secret ballot received by a candidate shall elect him to his office.
iii. No special qualifications above general membership requirements are necessary
for the holding of office. Officers are to be enrolled students at UNO during their entire terms of office.
Section 4. Standing Committees and their respective Chairperson(s)
may be appointed ad hoc at the discretion of the President and/or Executive Committee to serve during the tenure in office
of the Board, which appoints them. Such Standing Committees and special officers may be necessary to carry out the work of
the Executive Committee.
Article IV
Advisor
Section 1.
This Chapter shall at all times have an advisor that may be a faculty or administrative staff member of the University of Nebraska at Omaha or an interested community member.
Article V
Meetings, Rules, Procedures
Section 1. Meetings of the Theta Beta chapter’s members and faculty advisor will take place at least once each
month. Meetings shall be determined by the President after due consultation with
the Executive Committee.
Section 2. A quorum of this Theta Beta Chapter shall
be a simple majority of the voting membership present at any meeting called by the president.
Section 3. Robert’s Rules of Order
shall be used during the meeting of the chapter.
Section 4.
Financial matters will be handled by the Treasurer. Operating funds of the chapter are to be held in a bank account
in the Cooperative Trust Fund (Student Bank) in accordance with the wishes of the University.
Section 5.
Each new member is to pay a one-time fee of $20 to the national organization. Each member will also pay an additional
$10 to cover any other operating expenses incurred by the chapter. Any student unable to pay the above mentioned fees may
see the president for aid in doing so.
Section 6. The initiation ritual shall take place at an induction ceremony held at least once
a semester conducted by the president and/or advisor administering the oath of membership as contained in chapter bylaws
Article VI
Amendments
Section 1.
Student Government must approve all changes to this constitution in the same manner as a completely new constitution.
Section 2.
Proposed amendments to this constitution may be submitted at any meeting by a voting member. A vote will be taken at the next meeting at which a quorum of the voting membership is present. A majority
vote shall render the proposed amendment ratified at such time it is submitted and approved pursuant to Article VI, Section
1.